cysteinase

Cysteinase is a **novel engineered enzyme** designed to deplete extracellular cysteine and cystine, thereby starving rapidly growing cells, such as cancer cells, of these amino acids necessary for their survival and proliferation. As opposed to endogenous enzymes, cysteinase is **not a naturally occurring enzyme** but was **bioengineered** to catalyze the breakdown of cysteine/cystine with high efficiency. The principal mechanism of action is the **depletion of extracellular cysteine/cystine**, leading to suppression of glutathione synthesis and increased oxidative stress in target tissues, notably tumor cells. This approach is being investigated for its potential utility in **oncology**, particularly for the treatment of solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer, exploiting cancer cells’ dependence on external cysteine. The development of cysteinase is currently experimental, with most information derived from preclinical studies.

Other names

cysteine-degrading enzyme